Engines out - touch up the engine bay paint - advice ?

[jamieandthemagic]

The engines out of my 71 Alfa gt junior.

There's no rust. But some surface rust on the battery tray, and lots of harsh scratches and missing paint in the now empty engine bay. I'm not about to remove all the servos and everything for an enginebay re spray. I just want to touch these areas up.

What's the best approach? Also best way to try to get a close match on the finish (accept it will never look mint, but the car has a nice patina I don't want to ruin).

Edited by jamieandthemagic on Tuesday 6th January 23:00

[v8250]

James, clean and treat all exposed areas first, then you've got two options for painting. 1. with a small paint brush, build up coats, leave to go rock hard dry and then polish back with 1200, 1500, and 2000 grade. 2. similar to above but use an artist's air gun...this works very well to blend in the paint. Again cut back to 2000 grade.

A good local automotive paint supplier will be able to mix a close paint match for you. They'll have a minimum quantity which is great as you'll have some left over for other touch up areas.

[jamieandthemagic]

Treat........any recommendations?
Should I wire brush the scratched areas back a bit.

[v8250]

jamieandthemagic said:

Treat........any recommendations? Should I wire brush the scratched areas back a bit.

Looking at the photograph use 600 grade on the light touch up areas. The heavier rust battery tray area use a small wire wheel on a battery powered drill. You can buy these in kits from B&Q/Screwfix that have a pointed brush for getting the corners. Clean back, thoroughly de-grease with panel wipe and then treat the rusted surfaces [Bilt Hamber do some good product], then treat with a zinc etching primer and paint.

[Mark A S]

I have used a Sikkens commercial 2 pack paint that you can brush on that flows out REALLY well making brush marks virtually invisible. You would not want to do it say on the top of your front wings, but in the engine bay especially after the engine is re fitted, you will not notice it.

[Talkwrench]

Having tried them all (yes, literally!), two products stand out to treat rust.
Bilt Hamber Hydrate 80 is remarkable stuff - but follow the instructions.
Fertan is also a very good product but again, follow the instructions.
Both are products that chemically convert and neutralise the existing rust. You just need to get rid of any flaky lamination or loose surface rust.
I'd also put a zinc rich primer over the treated areas. Bilt Hamber Electrox is excellent, professional quality and does everything it claims. It can be brushed or sprayed. Once cured, lightly sand before painting. Any decent automotive paint supplier will match the colour and make up an aerosol of paint (a proper one, not a cheap one with a pathetic spray pattern). Acrylic is probably your best bet for blending in.

[jamieandthemagic]

Thanks guys, appreciated.

Any recommendations for what black st to use down the transmission tunnel/ under body.

[Talkwrench]

Assuming the transmission tunnel and underside are etch primed and painted with no damage present, then 3M body schutz is probably the best underseal around - available in black. If there is already underseal applied and it isnt all bubbly and flaky, spray over the whole thing with Bilt Hamber Dynax S50 anti corrosion wax.

[jonny_bravo]

I have used Bonda Zinc primer in the past, bloody stinks but does a good job. Overpaintable with most paint types too.